Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
167 words
A dilatation catheter, comprising: a length of a shaft of flexible material having a longitudinal axis; an inner flexible member coaxially disposed in the shaft and having a distal portion projecting therefrom; a balloon portion formed at the distal end of the flexible shaft, the balloon portion formed with radial crimps running length-wise about the circumference thereof and being capable of expanding to a predetermined diameter when subjected to internal pressure to provide a balloon, the balloon portion fixed to the distal end of the flexible shaft and the distal end of the inner flexible member; and a transition portion at at least one end of the balloon portion surrounding the inner flexible member for coupling the balloon portion to one of the inner distal ends of the flexible member and tho distal portion of the flexible shaft, the transition portion being capable of longitudinal extension in response to a minor longitudinal contraction at the two ends of the balloon portion when the balloon portion is inflated.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
167 words
A dilatation catheter, comprising: a length of a shaft of flexible material having a longitudinal axis; an inner flexible member coaxially disposed in the shaft and having a distal portion projecting therefrom; a balloon portion formed at the distal end of the flexible shaft, the balloon portion formed with radial crimps running length-wise about the circumference thereof and being capable of expanding to a predetermined diameter when subjected to internal pressure to provide a balloon, the balloon portion fixed to the distal end of the flexible shaft and the distal end of the inner flexible member; and a transition portion at at least one end of the balloon portion surrounding the inner flexible member for coupling the balloon portion to one of the inner distal ends of the flexible member and tho distal portion of the flexible shaft, the transition portion being capable of longitudinal extension in response to a minor longitudinal contraction at the two ends of the balloon portion when the balloon portion is inflated.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
14 words
The dilatation catheter of claim 1, in which the crimps have a triangular cross-section.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
14 words
The dilatation catheter of claim 1, in which the crimps have a curvilinear cross-section.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
21 words
The dilatation catheter of claim 1, in which the crimps have a cross-section in the form of a frustum of triangle.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
12 words
The dilatation catheter of claim 1, in which the film is polyester.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
14 words
The dilatation catheter of claim 5, in which the polyester is coated with polyurethane.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
19 words
The dilatation catheter of claim 1, further including a radio-opaque member to aid in positioning the catheter during use.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
21 words
The dilatation catheter of claim 1, wherein the film substrate is a dacron film and the elastomeric material is a polyurethane.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
18 words
The dilatation catheter of claim 8, wherein the elastomer is an outer sleeve disposed about the crimped film.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
213 words
A dilatation catheter, comprising: a length of a tubular shaft of flexible material having a longitudinal axis; an inner tubular flexible member coaxially disposed in the shaft and having a distal portion projecting therefrom; a balloon portion formed at the distal end of the flexible shaft, the balloon portion formed with a plurality of circumferential crimps running length-wise being capable of expanding radially to a predetermined diameter with minor axial movement when subjected to internal pressure to provide a balloon, the balloon portion fixed to the distal end of the tubular flexible shaft and the distal end of the inner tubular flexible member; and a transition portion end of the balloon portion surrounding the inner flexible member formed with a plurality of longitudinal crimps across the length of the catheter for coupling the balloon portion to the distal end of the inner tubular flexible member and the distal portion of the tubular flexible shaft, the transition portion being capable of longitudinal extension in response to a minor longitudinal contraction at the two ends of the balloon portion to reduce the axial movement when the balloon portion is inflated; and the balloon portion and the transition portions are formed from a flexible thin film substrate and an elastomer to provide a smooth outer surface.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
213 words
A dilatation catheter, comprising: a length of a tubular shaft of flexible material having a longitudinal axis; an inner tubular flexible member coaxially disposed in the shaft and having a distal portion projecting therefrom; a balloon portion formed at the distal end of the flexible shaft, the balloon portion formed with a plurality of circumferential crimps running length-wise being capable of expanding radially to a predetermined diameter with minor axial movement when subjected to internal pressure to provide a balloon, the balloon portion fixed to the distal end of the tubular flexible shaft and the distal end of the inner tubular flexible member; and a transition portion end of the balloon portion surrounding the inner flexible member formed with a plurality of longitudinal crimps across the length of the catheter for coupling the balloon portion to the distal end of the inner tubular flexible member and the distal portion of the tubular flexible shaft, the transition portion being capable of longitudinal extension in response to a minor longitudinal contraction at the two ends of the balloon portion to reduce the axial movement when the balloon portion is inflated; and the balloon portion and the transition portions are formed from a flexible thin film substrate and an elastomer to provide a smooth outer surface.